Man set free with plea deal in 40-year-old arson case

Published 5:01 pm, Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Lewis Taylor shakes the hand of his first attorney, Howard Kashman, as his current defense team surrounds him after a hearing that will result in his release.

Lewis Taylor shakes the hand of his first attorney, Howard Kashman, as his current defense team surrounds him after a hearing that will result in his release.

Photo: Benjie Sanders, POOL

Man set free with plea deal in 40-year-old arson case

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TUCSON, Ariz. - A man who has spent more than 40 years in prison for a 1970 hotel fire that killed 29 people agreed to a deal with prosecutors Tuesday that cleared the way for him to be released after his conviction was called into question.

The plea deal marks a stunning reversal for Louis Taylor, who was 16 years old when he was arrested in the fire at the Pioneer Hotel in Tucson where employees of an aircraft company were celebrating at a Christmas party. He is expected to be set free later Tuesday or Wednesday once his paperwork is processed.

Taylor, 59, showed no visible reaction as he accepted the deal and said "no contest" 28 different times - for each murder count leveled against him. When it was all finished, Superior Court Judge Richard Fields said, "Welcome back, Mr. Taylor."

Dramatic testimony

Taylor was sentenced to 28 consecutive life sentences and repeatedly has maintained his innocence. Taylor, who is black, contends he was wrongly convicted by an all-white jury after he says police failed to investigate other suspects. Reports at the time indicate Taylor was helping people escape the blaze before being arrested later that night.

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Prosecutors still believe that Taylor is guilty but said they would not be able to pursue a new trial due to a lack of evidence and living witnesses.

Taylor did not speak in court on his own behalf and had no statement.

The hearing was marked by dramatic testimony from a Washington, D.C., man who was 4 years old when his father was killed in the fire at the age of 31. Paul d'Hedouville II said his father was staying at the hotel and waiting for his family to arrive for a Christmas vacation.

He lamented how his father was never there to teach him how to ride a bike or see his soccer games. "He was never able to dance with my bride at my wedding," d'Hedouville said.

He did not address questions of Taylor's guilt as he looked directly at the inmate and said, "Do as you choose Mr. Taylor. But choose wisely. Do not waste your new beginning."

"I harbor no feelings of ill will or vengeance against you."

No contest plea

Defense attorney Michael Piccarreta said this weekend that Taylor still maintains his innocence but wanted to plead no contest to get out of prison quickly. Piccarreta said Taylor's lawyers believe they eventually would have prevailed at a new trial, but the process could have taken years.

The plea also negates Taylor's ability to sue the state to seek compensation - something that could have happened only if he had gotten a new trial and been exonerated. That process could have taken two to three years.

"It's a question of freedom now versus freedom three years from now," said attorney Ed Novak.